Good morning!!!!

[PJSprog]

34°F and cloudy this morning, going up to 54° today. Looks like we'll be warming back into the 60s this weekend.

Made loaded nachos for dinner last night. Always a hit with The Wife.

Need to get the workbench cleared this weekend and get that speaker cabinet assembled. It's not going to build itself. Also need to start planning to build the replacement doors on the tool shed side of the well house. With the prices of lumber continuing to climb, I sure am wishing I'd done that last year. The cost of procrastination, I guess.

Sorry about the damage, rip. Glad no animals hurt, though.

 

[RedNeckGeek]

Good Morning!!!! 60F @ 5:15AM. Mostly sunny. High 77F. Winds light and variable.

Same here, Bird. I didn't check if other vaccines were available at Costco yesterday, as the Moderna has been working just fine so far. Why mess with success? Arm is a bit sore this morning, but no other complications and I slept like a log last night.

Sheesh, where did March go? Came and went like a lamb out here, Thomas. Thanks for the reminder, Randy W., I'll keep an eye out for pranks today.

Ran into a new-to-me scam when I went to fuel up yesterday. The guy already parked at the pump was running around the lot asking for money because, he said, his car was out of gas and he was broke. When he came up to my window I told him to get the out of the way, even if he had to move it on the starter. Just then a car left from the other side of the pump, so I made a three point turn around and got another two hundred dollar fillup. And the bum kept his distance. Really pi$$es me off when some idiot dressed up in designer labels, tatoos out the wazzoo, and piercings everywhere claims to be broke. Quit trying to make your problems my problems, and stay the heck out of my way!

Measured up the distance for the new trench up to the cul-de-sac before I went to town, then dropped by the electrical supply house and ordered the flex conduit for the wiring. Should be in next week, but the price was up more than 30%.

I've got lupines blooming here, too, Don, but very few due to the Extreme Drought we're in. Also saw a few poppies on the way to town yesterday, but not as many as in a more normal rain year.

It'll be a good day for burning, so I'll snag stump remnants from the old piles and start a new one. Not much else on the agenda, except maybe start in again on the van to see if I can figger out what its problem is this time.

TGIF gang!

 

[txdon]

Good morning! 46˚F With no clouds and South wind we will have a 80s day.

Toyota has come out with an "anti-electric" car. first time I have heard of that term but I kind of like it. A Toyota Corolla GR in standard shift only.

Has anyone tried the "back tap" function on their iPhone?
I tried to turn on the flashlight by back tapping but could not get it to work, even without the cover.
Settings - accessibility - touch - back tap - double tap - flashlight.

Wngsprd the tractor graveyard land does not belong to the neighborhood, it is attached and our neighborhood is on 3 sides. He could probably sell an acre and buy a new tractor, but I'm sure he has refused many offers.

 

[PJSprog]

Ran into a new-to-me scam when I went to fuel up yesterday.

I've been running into that one on occasion around here for the last few years. Seems like they mostly pop up at bigger gas stations close to highways. Last one was at a QuikTrip just off I-55 in Arnold MO. They had both a guy and a girl running around the lot soliciting gas money to "get back home to Chicago." When I noted they had Missouri plates on the car, they moved on to the other end of the lot.

 

[wngsprd]

I've been running into that one on occasion around here for the last few years. Seems like they mostly pop up at bigger gas stations close to highways. Last one was at a QuikTrip just off I-55 in Arnold MO. They had both a guy and a girl running around the lot soliciting gas money to "get back home to Chicago." When I noted they had Missouri plates on the car, they moved on to the other end of the lot.

I got taken on this a few years back...a young guy claiming to need gas money to get home to some crisis in Maryland...gave him a twenty and pumped my gas, only to watch him approach every other person in the big lot of pumps near I-95...terrible that these scammers ruin it for those that may actually be in desperate shape.

 

[RedNeckGeek]

terrible that these scammers ruin it for those that may actually be in desperate shape.

Yesterday's idiot even had his cell phone out, talking loudly into it to imaginary friends, asking them for help!

What really frosted my cake is the idiot was parked at one of the few pumps offering Diesel.

I was in almost the same shape that time I drove 600 miles only to discover when I went to fuel up that I'd left my wallet at home. I just drove to a branch of my bank, gave them my signature, and made a cash withdrawal to pay for fuel. If you're so pathetic you can't do that, maybe you need to learn a hard lesson on personal responsibility.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Good morning to all! The low was 37°, supposed to get into the low 60's, but awoke to cloudy skies and light sprinkles. Current temp is only 45°. The clouds are only supposed to be here until around noon, then blow outa' here with 45 mph gusts.... joy....

I was able to get the hardest area of the fence prep done yesterday, cutting a couple of RR ties that were protruding onto our side of the property. Then decided that getting some seat time in would be nice.
The before pics:


And the after pics:


I had a big pile of dirt from cutting in the driveway, about 20' x 20' x6' high. The area of our septic system was always rough, especially after settling. So, spent almost 5 hours spreading and grading the dirt out over a 50' x 120' area. I still have about 15-20 bucketfull loads to spread, but now too damp today.
A pic of the area after grading:

And of the remaining pile:

This area will get some more gravel and become a turn around.

PopG, my SIL was talking with the wife this morning and said there was a tornado last night in the area of Rt 611 and 113. She wasn't sure about any damage. Seems like there are more severe storms there since when we used to live there 25+ years ago.

Unless it dries out a bit more, I won't play on the tractor today. Probably some shop time, pre-staining the wood pieces/parts for the fence. I need to make a run into town this afternoon, so won't get all done.

Plans for the weekend: Start getting the fence installed and find that phone line.....(hopefully NOT).

Everyone have a great day!

 

[riptides]

Ugh, on the storm damage. I am still waiting on the insurance company to show. I revisited the big box stores for metal panels, and ouch. Originally 37.52 each now run 70.60. And none in stock and no ETA when they will be available. If that's the case on availability I am seriously hosed as the roof on that side that got ripped off, exposes a tack room to the elements.

I'd hate to reuse the panels as they are rather bent, crimped and beat to all hades. I might have to replace the whole roof with another product so we are looking at a couple of grand for new metal. I may need to sell this predicament to the insurance guy. Have not priced out the wood yet, but that is the least of my worries.

May have to move the horses to another pasture that has a sister shelter, that stood up to the wind just fine.

I'll be trimming trees and picking up branches for the weekend. This really set me back on other projects.

This AM though I got treated to what is important.

Have a good weekend all.

 

[sodamo]

68°F and .26 inches rain.

Off to town this morning, a bit of food shopping, errands and pick up some stuff for outfitting the caretaker unit.

Canadian friend looking to do pork chops on the Primo for dinner. Has invited another Canadian couple that stay down the road. Half Canadian I guess as Henry is a local boy that went off to Canada to get married and raise a family and now returns here every winter.

Prayers for all
Be safe
Have a great day

 

[newbury]

Ugh, on the storm damage. I am still waiting on the insurance company to show. I revisited the big box stores for metal panels, and ouch. Originally 37.52 each now run 70.60. And none in stock and no ETA when they will be available. If that's the case on availability I am seriously hosed as the roof on that side that got ripped off, exposes a tack room to the elements.

I'd hate to reuse the panels as they are rather bent, crimped and beat to all hades. I might have to replace the whole roof with another product so we are looking at a couple of grand for new metal. I may need to sell this predicament to the insurance guy. Have not priced out the wood yet, but that is the least of my worries.

May have to move the horses to another pasture that has a sister shelter, that stood up to the wind just fine.

Might want to quickly contact some of the local roofing companies, other people my have had similar problems and have half a roof left and will sell what's still there, or buy yours.

 

[toppop52]

RNG, I hag a similar experience buying fuel today. I went to one place, put my card in, entered the pin and it never completed the transaction. Wouldn’t turn my card loose, sore personnel had no idea, so I got out my needle nosed pliers and pulled it out. I was going to be late meeting my daughter for lunch so I took off. After lunch I went to another place that only has diesel on both sides of one pump, out of 16 pumps. The new Chevy I was behind for about a mile, turned in ahead of me and got one pump and there was an empty minivan in front of the other. I waited for Chevy boy to put $167 worth in his and I finally got mine. I paid $4.51.

 

[Thomas]

43F cloudy.

Between April rain showers got another big section clean rake as 3 large groups of geese heading north.

Well I guess I better wash behind the ears and comb my brush pile and put on some good rags for date night.

Enjoy your evening all.

 

[Bird]

RedNeckGeek said, "Ran into a new-to-me scam when I went to fuel up yesterday. The guy already parked at the pump was running around the lot asking for money because, he said, his car was out of gas and he was broke."

That's an old one in this area, although I haven't seen it lately. One day last week, I came out of Walmart and got in my car just as a guy pulled up beside me in a brand new SUV, and motioned for me to roll my window down, which I did, but being hard of hearing, I couldn't understand what he was saying, so he got out of his car, came and leaned in my window to tell me he was broke and asked if I could loan him a hundred dollars. He took a big, fancy ring off one of his fingers and told me he'd let me keep this thousand dollar ring until he could pay me back. He appeared to be wearing expensive clothes, and he had a huge gold looking chain around his neck. I told him I was sure sorry, but I use credit cards and didn't have any cash. I'll be he paid at least $5 or $10 for that fance "looking" ring.

 

[Eric Salop]

It has been a strange week. I am normally very laid back, yet my wife said I've been "like a cat on hot bricks" for a few days. Now my paws are at last cooling down, thanks to the eventual arrival this morning of a baby girl to expand our collection of grandkids.

Helogabals, there must be a reason why tires attract screws and new rubber makes the most powerful magnet. I couldn't tell you why though, I must have missed that physics lesson at school

 

[txdon]

Eric, congratulations on the family expansion with the new granddaughter. Does she have a proper British name?

 

[txdon]

The first test of the new knee on the tractor today. Surgical knee bent enough and pulled me right up. It passed!

Had to make a ramp on the mulch pile for the second level.

 

[Looking4new]

Congratulations on new grandbaby, Eric.

The snow we had overnight and today has melted. I am back to a brown driveway. March went out like a lion.

I got a phone call today and the power washer that I bought last May is ready to be picked up. It has only been in the shop since October. The mechanic said it was hydro locked. It quit while I was using it. Tomorrow morning I will pick it up and see if I can finally wash the tractor and the Dodge.

 

[daugen]

Don, great you got some seat time and knee is good.

very windy afternoon here, put down compost in veggie garden and enjoyed some fresh air.

met the tourist train yesterday outside of New Hope, running the diesel loco, they save the steam engine for busy summer days.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

CONGRATS to Eric and family! I bet you're glad she's here at last.....

Don, I am really jealous..... and very happy for you at the same time! I still have to do the baby-step one at a time with the good leg. The new knee just won't do it without a bunch of pain.....

Well, the winds kicked up at 11:00, decided that a nap was in order instead of going out to the shop. Then did the errand into town.

Time for dinner (later than normal) and feet up to relax some more.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

RNG, I hag a similar experience buying fuel today. I went to one place, put my card in, entered the pin and it never completed the transaction. Wouldn’t turn my card loose, sore personnel had no idea, so I got out my needle nosed pliers and pulled it out. I was going to be late meeting my daughter for lunch so I took off. After lunch I went to another place that only has diesel on both sides of one pump, out of 16 pumps. The new Chevy I was behind for about a mile, turned in ahead of me and got one pump and there was an empty minivan in front of the other. I waited for Chevy boy to put $167 worth in his and I finally got mine. I paid $4.51.

Sorry for your wait...but you got off cheep for less than 5 bux.

It has been a strange week. I am normally very laid back, yet my wife said I've been "like a cat on hot bricks" for a few days. Now my paws are at last cooling down, thanks to the eventual arrival this morning of a baby girl to expand our collection of grandkids.

Helogabals, there must be a reason why tires attract screws and new rubber makes the most powerful magnet. I couldn't tell you why though, I must have missed that physics lesson at school

Congrats hot feet and wifey! Penelope? Margaret? Elizabeth?....

Ahh, physics and the tire/screw drama. Here's how it works, the front tire runs over the screw at speed, the friction combined with the force vector dynamics makes the screw flip up at just the right angle for the rear tire to impinge on it at the correct angle of attack, wedging it between the tire and the pavement. The pavement usually wins and tire usually loses. (between the treads makes it even easier.) Sorry Helogabals.

Nice photo Drew, I got held up by a train this afternoon too, and traffic was already horrible. I'm guessing it took at least 10-15 minutes until I got to go. Then, all the people that had tried to turn off on side streets and such, were all trying to cut line and jump out in front of me and the traffic alongside me.

HYdraulic sitrep: I got the last cylinder rebuilt. I had to go to JD to get 2 more O-rings. I still haven't mounted them, since I need a 3rd hand to stab the pins while I hold them in place.

Took wife and daughter out for lunch. They chose Taco Bell. meh. They agreed, meh. The new help was slow and food not so hot.

Until last week, the wifey said "NO" to getting some new chickens. Our old hens are about 2-3 years old. 1 of our last 3 is ill and probably not going to make it. Yesterday I saw a news blip about the price of eggs going up due to bird flu. Today at lunch, she relented, and now we have 6 new baby chicks. They will get to stay in my son's room for "a while" until they go into the separate pen I built for just this thing. The kids are having fun with them. They wanted some baby ducks but I said "heck no".

Don, 2 kids and I are going to try and come to the big garage sale Saturday tomorrow morning. I hope I can get some sleep tonight, I had horrible sleep last night. I was so thankful to be off today.